These Were Written For Your Example

There is something so sweet about knowing that we have the whole counsel of God in His Word, and because of that, the ability to learn from the past in order to avoid the consequences and peril of sin today. Throughout all of the Word, we constantly read "these were written for your example"...a phrase that is becoming more and more precious to me throughout the years. The cultural idea of learning from your own mistakes (aka sin) is anything but a biblical principle and should be cast out with every other crazy idea that society tries to bombard us with. Instead we should read the Word, study it and LEARN...learn from the past so that we might most importantly bring glory to the name of God (not shame) and avoid the pain sin brings. As believers we are called to diligently study the Word of God and allow it to transform our hearts and our lives. If we would only spend more time seeing what God's will for our lives is rather than seeking it on our own, much pain (from the consequences of sin) could be avoided. We need to stray away from the cultural norm of learning in our own ways, and learn the Biblical way, from God, His Word, and His people.

This brings me to 1 Corinthians 10, I am in the book of 1 Corinthians and learning so much from this church. Paul doesn't seem to avoid speaking of any and every area of sin that this church committed in order to not only call them out, but also to admonish, and furthermore, exhort us. In this specific part of Corinthians, Paul is reminding the Church of Israel's failures and mistakes and exhorting them to learn from them. Look at verse 6, "Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as (I)they also craved." The examples set before us are in order to curb our sinful flesh and point us towards righteous living.

But it is in verse 13 that we see something so powerful, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." Paul explains to the church here that there will be no temptations that they will face that are new, they have all been experienced. He goes on to remind them that God will never allow one of His kids to be tempted in a way in which they can not flee from it, He will always provide a way to say no, to obey, and to glorify Him. The temptations are "common to man", think about that for a moment...that means that whatever difficult temptation you may face, chances are someone in Scripture, or another believer you know, has walked down that road. The encouraging thing then is that you can find Truth in the Word of God, and/or spoken from other believers, to encourage and admonish you to flee that temptation. You can learn the Godly way instead of the "hard" way.

You might be saying, well that's great and all, but I'm just one of those people who has to learn on my own. What I would say to you is, that is sinful thinking. God does not encourage that, or even excuse that kind of behavior. He has commanded you to walk in obedience to Him, in newness of life; putting off the desires of the flesh and putting on a spirit of righteousness. He has given you the wisdom in Scripture, and set forth examples, as His Word says, to learn and to do what is right in His eyes.

And if that's not convincing enough, take a look at verse 31 of this chapter, "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." That means that IN ALL THINGS you are to glorify Him. There is no ifs, ands, or buts about it. You are called to a life of holiness, to bringing Him glory.

But remember, all of this is not only for His glory, but for YOUR good. He is intimately concerned with His children and desires to protect you from the harmful and damaging effects of sin. He has given us His Spirit, His Word, and the encouragement of other believers to point us in the way in which we should walk. Trust Him...He is good, He is faithful, He is loving, and He KNOWS what's best! Therefore, as you read through the Word, and walk through life, remember..."these things were written for your example".